Odious Ukrainian Prosecutor General reportedly resigns

Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin filed a resignation request on Feb. 16, pravda.com.ua reported the same day, citing its sources. President Petro Poroshenko mentioned in his Feb. 16 address to Ukrainians that the Prosecutor General’s Office “failed to secure the confidence of society”, and therefore the dismissal of the General “is on the agenda”. He said he met with Shokin in the morning and asked him to sign the resignation request.

According to the constitution, it’s in the president’s power to dismiss the prosecutor general, and a new one should be appointed by the president and approved by parliament.

Shokin’s move was preceded by the resignation of pro-western deputy prosecutor general Vitaliy Kasko, who had broad support from U.S. officials. Kasko accused the Office of resistance to reforms and support of old corruption practices on Feb. 15.  Shokin’s dismissal was actively demanded by western politicians.

Alexander Paraschiy: The removal of the odious Prosecutor General could potentially lead to a warming of the West’s attitude toward Ukraine’s president. Though, at this stage, his dismissal isn’t final. It is also very important to see who will replace Shokin. The “favorites” of the Western governments (on which Ukraine depends financially), are Kasko and David Sakvarelidze. However, it’s hard to believe that Poroshenko will appoint any of them.